Gio (5th Street) by Elizabeth Reyes Read Free Book Online

but she couldn’t help wishing Felix had been there instead. Still she made the best of it and enjoyed their delicious dinner. When they were done, Gio sat back in his seat looking very stuffed but Bianca reached for another strawberry. “I’m stuffed too but these are so delicious I just have to have one more.”
    Gio leaned his head back on his chair and closed his eyes. Bianca took advantage of the moment to better examine him. She wondered if he was still single. In high school he’d never had a girlfriend. Not one that she remembered anyway. Sure, she’d seen him with plenty and witnessed those perfect lips of his kissing girls on more than one occasion but she’d never heard of him being exclusive with anyone. For a moment, the very naughty thought of what his lips would feel like on hers, crossed her mind and without thinking, she cleared her throat.
    His eyes opened suddenly and caught her gazing at him as she sucked on her strawberry. She looked away dipping what was left of her strawberry in the chocolate one last time as she felt her cheeks warm. “Are you tired?” she asked staring at the chocolate.
    “Not really. I just get a little drained after such a big meal.”
    She glanced up at him finally after staring excessively long at the chocolate. His expression seemed normal enough. Maybe he hadn’t thought it strange that she’d been literally eating him up with her eyes but she was still curious. “So what’s your story? You still single?”
    He nodded, taking a sip of his beer. “Yep.”
    “Really? A good looking guy like you?” She sat up, leaning her arms against the table as she picked up her own bottle of beer. “Obviously it’s by choice, right?”
    He lifted a shoulder. “I have too many things going on to get involved in any kind of relationship right now. And just before I left Jack let me know me and the guys are pretty much going to be taking over the gym. So I’ll be even busier now.”
    Bianca’s eyes shot open and she noticed that for some reason that made Gio smile. “Really? Like take over, take over? He’s giving the place to you guys?”
    “Pretty much.”
    “Wow, that’s great. But doesn’t he have family?”
    He shook his head then took another swig of his beer placing the empty bottle on the table. “You want another one?”
    “I’ll get it.” He started to stand, “You need one, too?”
    “Yeah, I’ll take another,” she said standing up. “But let’s go over by the bar. I need to stand for a little I’m so full.”
    They started toward the bar. “Me and the guys are Jack’s family. And since none of us have dads he’s pretty much stepped up and been that father figure we all needed. He’s done a great job, too.” They reached the bar and this time Gio was the one that walked around to look in the fridge. He pulled two beers out and opened them, handing one to Bianca. “I don’t think he’s ever told any of the guys because they seem to be under the impression he never married but he told me his wife died when they’d only been married for a couple of months—some rare kidney disease. He knew it was terminal and that she only had a short time but he still married her. She was his high school sweetheart and first love. He never remarried. Instead, he put all his energy into the gym. He said it was the only thing that kept him going.”
    Bianca brought her hand to her chest. “Oh, my God that’s so sad.” She actually felt choked up and her eyes began to tear up.
    Gio smiled. “Don’t cry. That was a long time ago. He’s over it now. I promise.”
    Bianca wiped a tear away feeling silly and smiled. Then she laughed softly. “I get so blubbery when I hear anything so sweet and in this case also sad.” Then she laughed a little more. “You don’t wanna watch a sad or even touching movie with me. Trust me.”
    He’d been smiling as he assured her Jack was fine but now his expression got a little serious. “So on top of your good looks,